Collective Capacity Building

Advocates before legislative and executive branches for fairness and justice in New York’s criminal legal system, including bail reform, discovery practices, sentencing equity, and preservation of appellate rights. Organizes lobby days, issues policy memos, and submits testimony on legislation affecting indigent defense.

Strengthens public defense organizations through trainings, CLE programs, onboarding for new chief defenders, and facilitation of professional networks. Topics include trauma-informed practice, diversity and inclusion, and lobbying compliance.

Partners with the Office of Indigent Legal Services to address systemic challenges and advocate for increased resources and support for defense providers.

Convenes regular meetings and calls for public defenders across New York State to share updates on court policies, funding, and trainings, including during emergency court shutdowns. Also produces and distributes a quarterly newsletter.

Files or joins amicus briefs in appellate courts to shape legal interpretations on issues including immigration consequences, discovery rights, appeal waivers, and constitutional protections. Notable cases include Thompson v. Clark, People v. Bradford Shanks, and Sophia v. Garland.

Conducts initiatives to educate the public about the importance and function of defense counsel in ensuring a fair legal system.

Conducts analysis of proposed legislation and its effects on public defense providers and assigned counsel programs, informing advocacy positions and organizational responses.

Provides pro bono legal representation to Nassau County legislators in Mulé v. Nassau County, successfully opposing a motion to dismiss and defeating a counterclaim related to the dissolution of a taxpayer-funded civilian militia. Also defends local governments’ authority to restrict assault weapons and large-capacity magazines post-_Bruen_.

Leads litigation to stop the unconstitutional collection and retention of DNA from individuals detained during protests or charged with minor offenses, including representing specific plaintiffs such as a U.S. Air Force veteran. Successfully challenged federal practices through major lawsuits.

Files and litigates high-impact lawsuits challenging executive actions that undermine democratic principles, including presidential expansion of election control and state-level creation of unauthorized militias. Focuses on cases with potential for national precedent, often proceeding through appellate courts and the Supreme Court.

Secures voting rights through constitutional litigation, including restoring voting rights to 1.4 million Floridians and representing voting rights organizations in lawsuits against state officials for disenfranchisement and intimidation tactics.

Submits amicus briefs in key appellate cases to defend state authority in election administration, including challenging the FBI's seizure of 2020 election ballots in Georgia and opposing executive orders that expand presidential control over elections.

Tracks federal and state laws and executive actions to identify and initiate legal challenges against those posing authoritarian threats or violating constitutional norms.

Represents educators and organizations in litigation against extreme classroom and library restrictions, including successfully challenging Idaho’s book ban law on First Amendment grounds, resulting in its repeal by the legislature and a Ninth Circuit ruling of unconstitutionality.

Advocates at the state level for the creation, funding, and improvement of drug courts in New York State.

Provides technical assistance, shares best practices, and fosters mutual support among drug court professionals across New York State.

Engages in advocacy efforts to uphold constitutional and statutory rights to legal representation, including legislative advocacy in partnership with organizations like JMACforFamilies and technical assistance to government officials on public defense legislation.

Provides training in restorative practices and facilitates case-specific restorative justice processes to support alternative dispute resolution and healing in legal contexts.